Learning to drive.

[Very traditional]

Please tell me it’s normal to have a shit lesson a week before your test right at the start of my lesson today I was approaching the roundabouts far too fast I dunno what was going on lol. Then my manoeuvres weren’t as good as normal so now I’m dreading my test next week it’s really put me on a downer even though it shouldnt

I think it's really common. My last lesson before my test I was awful, I made loads of silly mistakes and I genuinely thought I had made a mistake booking my test, I was a wreck! My instructor texted me and said not to let it get me down and that he wouldn't have told me to book my test if I wasn't capable and that everyone has bad lessons and he was right, I passed first time. Take is as a learning lesson, you know what you did wrong and won't do it next time, your instructor has faith in you or they wouldn't have told you to book your test xx

 

[under the ivy]

I always have mine first thing to avoid this. There’s nothing worse than dreading each hour passing as it creeps closer. Could you ask your instructor for earlier lessons?
Hope your lesson goes well x

My lesson went well thank you! Seemed to have mastered setting off and stopping manoeuvres. On to junctions next week Really like reading other people’s experiences, feel like I’m not on my own!

 

[nightfeedz]

I failed didn’t stop fully at a give way. Such a stupid mistake.

Sorry to hear you didn’t pass. Well done to you for getting through it. I failed mine today too. So disappointed.

I made a whole load of mistakes but to me it felt better than my previous test as I felt more in control and calmer. Prob going to be ages before I can do another test though.

I know I need to practice more in my own car instead of just lessons as I really struggle with trusting my own judgement without my instructor there. My partner and I both hate doing it though!

Also thinking maybe I should consider automatic but that would mean having to get a new car not to mention a new instructor.

ARGH this is tough!

 

[alwayslurkin]

I have just returned to driving after a break and feel very new driver so here is my two cents for what it is worth - don't want to offend anyone, just how I feel

Gears/clutch control are not the problem when driving. That does come naturally (and this comes from someone who took months to "get it")

The tricky bit with driving is other drivers. Merging on a slip road onto a fast road - are they letting you out? Are you quick enough? Hell, slow enough?
Judging when to turn right on a busy junction
Realising you are in the wrong lane and needing to switch

I'm not trying to frighten anyone, but I'd question if going full auto would actually help, to be honest.

With driving it is all experience and personally I found I learned how to drive more after my test, than before! As I was on my own

 

[Thank(space)you]

I will say the one thing my brother always drilled into me an honestly I felt like a clown was really go a bit over the top with head movements with looking in the mirrors, most instructors will say that but just incase, you have to check mirrors for EVERYTHING it's annoying an I felt like I was moving my head literally ever 3 seconds but the examiners can't tell if your just glancing your eyes like a normal person does lol so somtimes don't know if your checking or not, I belive it goes down as a minor anyway so long as it's not somthing where you do definitely need to check like changing lanes etc an it used to be no more than 12 minors to still pass but it does help to do a little head movement every time you need to check somthing in the mirror just so you make it obvs to the examiner that you are checking lol

I told the examinee every time. I said "I'm checking my mirrors now" before/as I checked them. Got 4 minors but none of them were for observations

 

[Doyoureally?]

My doctor has prescribed me a beta blocker. Has anyone had any experience with them?
good luck tomorrow @judsmum

Yes I have, they were good in my experience. They helped prevent me getting really hyped up and panicky but did not make me drowsy or wired.

 

[Gembo]

I passed on my 4th attempt, anxiety used to get the better of me and I’d physically shake so much on my test that I couldn’t properly control the clutch. Eventually my instructor suggested that instead of having more lessons I have some hypnosis. I was highly sceptical but went for some sessions anyway. The morning of my 4th test I said no I just can’t do it but my instructor persuaded me and I found I was surprisingly calm and I passed. So I do think he hypnosis helped. However I’m still a pretty nervous driver and am only happy to drive places I feel really familiar with so I feel driving gives me freedom, but limited freedom

 

[nightfeedz]

So my instructor is thinking of postponing my test (booked for end of sept) as he's questioning if I'm gonna be ready by then
I made 2 mistakes today during the entire lesson:

1/ checked my mirrors as I was slowing down rather than before
2/selected 4th gear rather than 2nd (but realised and corrected myself before he said anything)

He said it was a fantastic lesson, I'm making his job really easy and I need to be consistently driving well.

He's not happy about next week but said he can't reschedule for another day and just to let him know as soon as I know if I need to cancel or not.

This doesn’t add up at all, those are barely mistakes and September is months away, you sound totally capable of passing and from what you post your worries are more about your instructor than the driving. For some reason this person isn’t helping your confidence.

I know it’s a really tricky time for finding a new instructor and confidence with driving due to all the uncertainty. Think about what you might advise someone else if they described your situation. Good luck xx

 

[MarmiteExtract]

So pleased to have stumbled on this group. I failed my practical test twice and then lost all confidence (although I told everyone I had just lost interest as I felt embarrassed!). My theory test has expired now so it feels like I'm going to have to start from scratch all over again. The panic and anxiety that a lot of you have mentioned resonates with me so much. I feel like I've a pit of dread in my stomach whenever I'm behind the wheel of a car and seem to lose all ability for rational thought.

Sounds like you did really well overall @judsmum - two minors is nothing to sneeze at. Fingers crossed for November.

 

[Everybody]

Last lesson before my test this morning and he spent the hour talking none stop about the bdsm programs he’s been watching and porn

He’s just started talking like this over the past few weeks and I don’t understand why.

I would not trust to get in a car with someone who openly talks about these things. Also for the most part he is teaching young adults. I would be worried

This is completely unacceptable and is actually boarding on harassment now. Report him to whoever he works for and also the police - it’s really not ok that he’s talking like this to you or anyone he’s teaching to drive.

It is harassment. He is probably teaching persons as young as 17 as well. There is something seriously wrong with him to openly talk about that

 

[Thank(space)you]

Got my first lesson following lockdown 3 tomorrow. I'm terrified feel like I'm getting nowhere, as soon as I get some confidence we lock down again

 

[Tor88]

Im so glad this thread is there (thank you!!!)
I have my theory on Sunday. I'm crapping it. Im practising on my app continually but I seem to have triggered my anxiety badly with not knowing what will happen on the day. Can someone help explain it? Like from when you enter the building etc? Do you pick hazard first? What if you want to finish before the time is up? If you fail do you get a bit of paper? Does everyone there know you've failed?
Jesus my anxiety about going in a room and not knowing what to expect is worse than doing the test I think.
Sorry if this is pathetic - I usually can't go anywhere new without a friend or my partner, so I'm expecting my nerves to get the better of me. (Tempted to pop a diazepam these are prescribed to me btw)

I had mine on Thursday. Get to the building, sign in at the desk and they’ll give you a rule sheet. Once you’ve read it you go back to the desk and they’ll check ID and ask you to pull your mask down just to check. Then they’ll give you a locker key and ask you to prove your phone is turned off and place all items in your locker. You then go the entrance for the e test. Another member of staff will check ID again, this is all your allowed to keep on you. They’ll explain a few rules and pointers of the test. If you wear glasses they’ll ask you to put them on the desk to check over and then you have them back. This is apparently due to people using Bluetooth headsets to cheat.

once seated you go through an explaination of how the test works, examples etc then you start the 50 questions. Very similar to the app I had 45ish question in the same layout as the app and then a case study (4 small paragraphs) and had to answer the remaining questions on this. You can flag and review any questions at the end and then once happy you click to move into hazard perception. You can take all or part of your allotted time. If you finish early you simply leave early I completed all mine in around 25 minutes.

you can have up to a theee minute break seated at your desk before moving on. hazard perception again they do a example question and explain, they’ll ask you to put the headphones provided on for this. Then the perception is the same as on the phone except their CGI not real scenes but realistic enough. again once completed you click to end the test and there’s someone in the viewing station who will point for you to leave most of the time otherwise just leave the room. I was asked to complete some trial questions and leave feedback on mine. It’s random and optional.

once you leave you empty your locker, give the key back in with your ID and they’ll give you a folded sheet of paper. No announcement of passing or failing. Once you have this you can leave. Sorry it’s long but I had the same anxiety I hope This helps.

 

[Upintheair83]

The thought of going 40mph is terrifying!
And Thankyou, I just need to get in the mind frame of “I can do it one day” instead of “I will never ever do it”

sometimes I wish I just learnt at 17 like most people! Xxxxxx

I was the same, I never learnt at 17 because I was terrified and then I kept putting it off. It took me many years and prob hundreds of lessons because I kept stopping/ starting them. But I did eventually get there! Il be honest, I hate driving even now!! I still get scared.
But the freedom it gave me is amazing! I couldn’t have carried on my job as cabin crew if I hadn’t passed. So it’s been a life line.
My advice would be tell the instructor how scared you feel, but go in there and just give it a go. They won’t let you do anything dangerous and they are always there and can have full control of the car if need be.
I think the more you do something the less scary it eventually becomes.
I think my fear came because my brothers best friends sister died two weeks after she passed her test in a road accident and it played on my mind so much that I just kept hiding away from lessons- but one day I realised that I can’t keep thinking that way. It was stopping me from actually living my life and doing the job I wanted to do.
I’m not going to lie. I do the minimum driving I can! I go the easy route to places, or the routes I feel most comfy with. I still am scared but I do think you get used to it, you get used to driving and the things you do and don’t like about it and sort of adapt to that.
I truly sympathise with you all being scared. I used to hate it when people used to laugh at me when I say it! But i don’t care anymore, Iv passed and I’m still scared but so what?!! I make sure I try and be a sensible driver and I don’t take chances or intimidate people when I drive, im patient with learner drivers and older drivers and I try and keep to speed limits . So I think I’m deserving to drive and that I do take my license seriously.
Please don’t shy away from it and give it a go. Some people on this thread suggested watching you tube videos and said it helped, I think that would have helped me when I started learning.
I really do sympathise and totally get where you are coming from though- good luck xxx

I’ve just had my final lesson before my test!
@kenbarlow You will get there! I bet your mum doesn’t think it went nearly as badly as you do!

Good luck! Don’t worry if you don’t pass, just see it as a practice run!
But you have it in you to pass and to be able to hold that license in your hand soon!
You’ve got this!
I’m wishing you loads of luck and just take your time.
I’m so excited for you. Let us know how it goes xxxx GOOD LUCK AND SAFE DRIVING

 

[judsmum]

I'm with you there! I've had ten lessons and was finally starting to feel a *teeny* bit better about it, but then covid happened and now I'm gonna be right back at the beginning I'm so scared even thinking about resuming my lessons. Part of me thinks maybe I should just give it up

If I can’t give it up then you’re not so ner ner!! We’re just gonna have to crack in as much as we detest it! It’ll be worth it in the end!! I keep thinking about that first time we have to drive all alone after we pass! Imagine how scary that will be!!

 

[openbook1]

Just put a deposit down on car and had my final lesson before my test next week.

The car I've put a deposit down on, is diesel. Does that matter? Some people are telling me its a good thing whereas some say the opposite. Also a few people have raised eyebrows at me for buying a car before I've passed my test, does it matter?

I dislike diesel cause of the fumes it gives off... I think it is more "dirty" than petrol for the environment.

 

[BettyCrockerr]

How can they fail you if it was another drivers fault?
Probably a dumb question I don’t drive but that seems very harsh and unfair. Surely if you reacted in as safe a manner as possible it shows you are competent and also aware on roads.

I’d assume they would say there wasn’t enough care taken when looking at the flow/speed of traffic and judging the speed of oncoming vehicles etc - they will say she should have held back completely until the speeding driver had Cleared the roundabout.

 

[kittypaws]

How’s everyone getting on?

Got my test on Thursday, so nervous! Never dreamed I’d be test ready and I’ve been learning on and off for the last 10 years! Any test advice?

 

[kittypaws]

I drove one of the test routes yesterday (my test centre has 2 possible routes) and it was quite difficult! It might have been the time of day I was driving (school pick-up time) but there was cars cutting across me and trying to overtake. I kept my cool though and my DI said I drive very well I have another lesson on Friday but I'm really pleased with my progress.

Has anyone managed to change their test date to an earlier one? I want to have a look and see if I can move mine forward from November but I'm worried I'll lose my date!

Only 2 possible routes!? Where I live there’s 20 possible routes

 

[kittypaws]

Good luck!
No advice but I feel the same. Started at 18 and now waiting for my test at 31 after years of being on/off.

It feels so more intense and means so much more at our age doesn’t it? I’m 29 and I feel like if you’re doing your test at 17/18 then yeah it’s exciting, but taking it after living 10+ years without being able to drive makes it mean so much, it’s life changing.

 

[Belulah]

Neither do I! There is nothing remotely fun about it! I literally want to be able to drive the 3 miles to work and back. That’s it. My lessons are on a Thursday and I start getting nervous on a Tuesday afternoon! Bloody horrible experience so it is.

I was like that with my last instructor. Hoping my new one will make me feel a bit more comfortable. I love driving around in my car but hate lessons.